The Ward M. Canaday Center for Special Collections The
Finding Aid Gustavus Ohlinger Papers, 1821-1987 MSS-013 |
Size: 5.25 linear feet
Provenance: received from John F. Ohlinger and Alice (Ohlinger) in 1981. Additions were made in 1982, 1983, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1998 and 2000.
The 1961 Honorary PhD, University of Toledo, was removed from MSS-275, Ward Canaday Financial Records, and added to MSS-013 (Box 4, Folder 19) in December 2015.
Access: open
Collection Summary: Collection includes journals, correspondence, literary productions, scrapbooks, printed materials, and photographs related to Ohlinger's civic, professional, and personal life. Some correspondence documents his high school years in Chefoo, China. A journal kept by Ohlinger from 1902 to 1905 chronicles his law career in Shanghai and his participation in post-Russo-Japanese War negotiations. "Our Summer Odyssey, August 1 to September 1, 1954," a journal/photo album of a European vacation, further documents some of Ohlinger's travels. Also included in this collection are papers generated and collected by various family members. The most extensive group is the papers of Ohlinger's sister, Constance Ohlinger.
Subjects: Civic Interests, Politics and Government, Social Welfare, and Travel
Related Collections: Ward M. Canaday Papers, MSS-072, Frank H. Canaday Papers, MSS-031
Processing Note: Each addition has been interfiled in the original collection.
Copyright: The literary rights to this collection are assumed to rest with the person(s) responsible for the production of the particular items within the collection, or with their heirs or assigns. Researchers bear full legal responsibility for the acquisition to publish from any part of said collection per Title 17, United States Code. The Ward M. Canaday Center for Special Collections may reserve the right to intervene as intermediary at its own discretion.
Completed by: Paul Gifford, 1982. Finding Aid Revised by April S. Dougal, 1990; Colleen Boff, 1993; Barbara A. Shirk, 1994 and 1996; Laura Micham, 1998; Maria Halovanic, 2000; last updated: December 2015
Biographical Sketch
Gustavus Ohlinger was born 15 July 1877 in Foochow, China, where his parents served as missionaries. He attended high school in Chefoo, China until 1898, when he came to the United States to further his education. After graduation from Law School at the University of Michigan, Ohlinger practiced law in Shanghai, China from 1902 to 1905 with T.R. Jernigan. It was also at this time that he traveled around the world. At the end of the Russo-Japanese War in 1905, Ohlinger and Jernigans’ firm represented the Russian government in post-war negotiations.
In 1906, Ohlinger established an independent law practice in Toledo, Ohio. In 1909 he entered into the partnership of Rheinfrank and Ohlinger, and later resumed his independent practice until 1914. That year, Ohlinger joined the firm of Smith, Beckwith and Froelich which became Smith, Beckwith, and Ohlinger. In 1962, he resumed an independent practice in Toledo which he maintained until his death in 1972. Ohlinger specialized in federal law.
From 1918 to 1919, Ohlinger served as a captain in the United States Army with the Intelligence Division of the Army General Staff in Washington, D.C. during and after World War I. During the Second World War, he organized the Toledo Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol and served as a member of that unit until 1943.
During and after World War II, Ohlinger founded the Toledo United Nations Association (TUNA) as president of the organization. His other civic activities included: service on the board of governors of the American Association for the United Nations (1951-1955), membership on the Toledo Board of Education (1926-1934), the Ohio Bar Association, the National Commission of Organization for Peace, Phi Beta Kappa, and the Chamber of Commerce.
While living in Toledo, Gustavus Ohlinger practiced law and specialized in federal law; his clients included the Wabash and Ann Arbor Railroad Company. He also taught Civil Practice at the University of Toledo’s College of Law in the academic year 1960-1961, and was awarded a LL.D. that same year. Other Toledo committees he maintained membership with included the American Legion, the Masonic Order, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Rotary Club.
Biographical Outline
1877 |
Born on 15 July in Foochow, China. Son of Franklin and Bertha (Schweinfurth) Ohlinger |
1899 | Attended University of Michigan |
1902 | Graduated from the University of Michigan with an A.B. and LL.B. |
1902-1905 | Practiced law in Shanghai, China, in partnership with T. R. Jernigan. In 1904 represented the Russian government at the war settlement and reparations negotiations. Also traveled around the world at this time. |
1906 | Returned to United States and established independent law practice in Toledo, OH |
1914 | Joined the firm of Smith, Beckwith, and Froelich. Married Helen Emma on July 11. Three children from union: John Franklin, Lucy Jane, and Mary Alice. |
1916 | Author of books: Their True Faith and Allegiance and The German Conspiracy in American Education (1919) |
1918 | Testified before the judiciary committee of the U.S. Senate in arguments for the repeal of the incorporation of the National German-American Alliance. |
1918-1919 | Served as a captain in the U.S. Army during and after WW I, served with the Intelligence Division of the Army General Staff in Washington, D.C. |
1926 | Appointed to the Toledo Board of Education, serving as vice president and president |
1931-1937 | Lectured at the University of Michigan Law School. |
1937-1944 | Specialized in federal law, clients included the Wabash and Ann Arbor Railroad Co.; represented Bolles v. the Toledo Trust Co. up to the Supreme Court. |
1948-1955 | Founder of the Toledo United Nations Association, serving as president. |
1951-1955 | Served as a member of the board of governors of the American Association for the United Nations. |
1960-1961 | Visiting professor of civil practice at the University of Toledo College of Law. |
1972 | Died on June 12 in Toledo, Ohio. |
Note: For additional biographical information, see the National Cyclopedia of American Biography, v. 58.
Scope and Content Note
This collection is arranged in nine series: Journals, Correspondence, Literary Productions, Tape Recordings, Scrapbooks and Scrapbook Materials, Printed Materials, Photographs, Ephemera, and Family Papers. The Journals series consists of a journal kept by Gustavus Ohlinger documenting his world travels from October 1902 to October 1905. The wedding journal of Gustavus and Helen may also be found in this series along with an Ohlinger family journal dating from 1913-1934.
The Correspondence series includes four subseries. Outgoing correspondence encompasses the period from 1891 through 1967 inclusively; one highlight of this subseries is the “Chefoo letters,” written by Gustavus Ohlinger and addressed to his parents. Both the originals and photocopies of the originals may be found in the collection. Incoming correspondence comprises the bulk of this series. It is arranged alphabetically, then chronologically within each folder. One digression from this arrangement is the series of correspondence between Theodore Roosevelt and Ohlinger. The Roosevelt correspondence includes communications from Roosevelt’s office, from Roosevelt himself, from Ohlinger to Roosevelt, and from T. Roosevelt, Jr. to Ohlinger. The third subseries are comprised of letters of introduction written for Ohlinger in 1903. The final subseries contain the personal correspondence of the Ohlinger family. These are divided by family relations with correspondence between Gustavus and his parents in one folder,; Gustavus, his wife Helen, and his sister Constance in another folder; and the correspondence between Gustavus and his three children (John, Lucy and Alice) in yet another folder. There is also a folder of miscellaneous family correspondence in this subseries.
Literary productions in the Ohlinger collection include draft and manuscript copies of articles; published articles written by G.O. as well as publications by others; research notes (1891-1966); speeches and readings (1924-1965); course outlines created by Ohlinger when he taught at the University of Toledo (1960), along with other writing projects.
The next series is comprised of Tape recording. Various memories and recollections of Mr. Ohlinger are recorded. These include his childhood and early schooling in China, and his time spent between China, Africa and the United States. One of the recordings also documents Mr. Ohlinger’s interview with young Winston Spencer Churchill in 1901.
The Ohlinger papers also include Scrapbooks and Scrapbook Materials. “Our Summer Odyssey, August 1 to September 1, 1954,” is a combined journal and photo album of his trip to Europe. Also included in this series is a scrapbook of newspaper clippings dating from 1912-1926.
Printed Materials includes newspaper clippings that cover a wide range of topics and interests. This series also includes certificates and licenses, materials from South Africa and China, items from the Toledo United Nations Association, the Toledo War Chest, and a file of miscellaneous materials.
Series List
S1 |
Journals |
|
1902-1934 |
|
Arranged by type and chronologically |
|
Personal journal of G.O (dismantled for conservation purposes): 1902-1905, Ohlinger Wedding Journal: 1914, and Ohlinger Family Journal: 1913-1934. |
|
|
S2 |
Correspondence |
|
1891-1967 |
|
Arranged alphabetically then chronologically |
|
Divided into four subseries: Outgoing, Incoming, Letters of Introduction, and Ohlinger Family Correspondence. The first two are arranged alphabetically according to correspondent then chronologically within each folder while the last two are chronological. Of particular note is a group of letters from Theodore Roosevelt dating 1915-1918, other significant correspondents include Theodore Roosevelt Jr., Ellery Sedgewick, Charles M. Sheldon, Waren G. Harding, and John F. Kennedy. |
|
|
S3 |
Literary Productions |
|
1891-1966, |
|
Arranged chronologically |
|
Divided into six subseries: Articles, Publications by G.O., Publications by Others, Research Notes, Speeches and Readings, and Various Writings. The first consists of manuscripts and outlines of articles and the second contains the published version of these articles. The last three subseries document the process and evolution of various other writing projects undertaken by G.O. |
|
|
S4 |
Tape Recordings |
|
1884-1965 |
|
Arranged chronologically |
|
Contains recordings made by G.O. describing his childhood and schooling in China, And visits made to Michigan (Ann Arbor, 1901), Africa (1902), the Philippine Islands and around China (1904-1905), and Toledo (1906). |
|
|
S5 |
Scrapbooks and Scrapbook Materials |
|
1954 |
|
Arranged chronologically |
|
Titled "Our Summer Odyssey, August 1 to September 1, 1954," this combination Journal and photo album is two volumes in length. |
|
|
S6 |
Printed Materials |
|
1909-1949 |
|
Arranged chronologically |
|
Contains newspaper clippings as well as certificates, licenses, and materials related to South Africa, China, the Toledo United Nations Association, the Toledo War Chest, and other materials collected by G.O. |
|
|
S7 |
Photographs |
|
1901-1968 |
|
Arranged chronologically |
|
Includes Ohlinger family pictures (1901-1968), six volumes pictures taken on G.O.'s (and family's) tour of China and South Africa1902-1905,) and various photos taken or collected by G.O. (1935-1936). |
S8 |
Ephemera |
|
1902-1956 |
|
Arranged chronologically |
|
Consists of postcards and greeting cards sent to and collected by G.O. and family. |
|
|
S9 |
Family Papers |
|
1821, 1901-1988 |
|
Arranged according to family member (and document type) |
|
Contains an extensive group of papers related to Constance Ohlinger (sister of G.O.), along with papers of John F. Ohlinger (son of G.O.), Gertrude Rinehart, and Lucy Ohlinger as well as affidavits of American citizenship (1926-1966). |
Arrangement
Box |
Folder |
Folder Title |
|
|
|
|
|
S1. Journals |
1 |
1 |
1902 |
|
2 |
1903 |
|
3 |
1903 |
|
4 |
1903-1905 |
|
5 |
Ohlinger Wedding Journal, 1914 |
|
5a |
Lucie and Johnnie Wedding Journal, 1941 |
|
6 |
Ohlinger Family Journal, 1913-1934 |
|
|
|
|
|
S2. Correspondence |
|
|
Outgoing |
|
7 |
"Chefoo Letters" (originals), 1891-1892 |
|
8 |
"Chefoo Letters" (photocopies), 1891-1892 |
|
9 |
1905-1906 |
|
10 |
1906-1950 |
|
11 |
1951-1967 |
|
|
Incoming |
|
12 |
A, 1914-1966 |
|
13 |
Adee, Alvey A., 1902 |
|
14 |
Allen, H.N., 1914-1966 |
|
15 |
Angell, James R., 1902 |
|
16 |
Anti-Saloon League, 1918 |
|
17 |
B, 1915-1963 |
|
18 |
Bates, Henry M., 1929-1950 |
|
19 |
C, 1913-1962 |
|
20 |
Campbell, Henry C., 1916-1917 |
|
21a |
Colonial Secretary, Straits Settlement, 1903 |
|
21b |
Cooper, John Sherman, 1960 and 1961 |
|
22 |
D, 1915-1952 |
|
23a |
E-F, 1913-1964, n.d. |
|
23b |
Flues, A. Gilmore, 1942 |
|
24 |
G, 1913-1961, n.d. |
|
25 |
H-J, 1916-1967, n.d. |
|
26 |
Hagedorn, Hermann, 1917-1951 |
|
27 |
Harding, Warren G., 1918 |
|
28a |
Havinghurst, Freeman C., 1925-1930 |
|
28b |
Hinton, William H., 1954 |
|
29 |
Hutchins, H.B., 1902-1927 |
|
30 |
K-L, 1915-1966 |
|
31 |
Kelly, Fred C., 1924-1950 |
|
31a |
Letters from classmates at University of Michigan |
|
32 |
Kennedy, John F., 1961 |
|
33 |
M, 1914-1967 |
|
|
|
2 |
1 |
Macmillan Company, 1916-1925 (includes manuscript copy of Their True Faith and Allegiance, contract) |
|
2 |
Maher, Amy, 1935 and 1941 |
|
3 |
Marshall, Edwin J., 1935-1937 |
|
4 |
N-O, 1914-1953 |
|
5 |
P-Q, 1915-1953 |
|
6 |
Patterson, Grove, 1925-1954 |
|
7 |
Pearson, George W., 1950 |
|
8 |
R, 1902-1962 |
|
9 |
Ras, H.N., 1901-1902 (in German) |
|
10 |
Reams, Frazier, 1930-1955 |
|
|
Roosevelt, Theodore (Office of) |
|
11 |
n.d. |
|
12 |
1916 |
|
13 |
1915 |
|
14 |
1916 |
|
15 |
1917 |
|
16 |
1917 |
|
17 |
1917 |
|
18 |
1918 |
|
19 |
1918 |
|
20 |
1918 |
|
21 |
1918 |
|
22 |
1918 |
|
|
Roosevelt, Theodore (from G.O.) |
|
23 |
1916-1918 (photostats) |
|
24 |
1917 |
|
25 |
1917 |
|
26 |
n.d. (telegram copy) |
|
27 |
Roosevelt, Theodore Jr., 1919 |
|
28 |
Rotary Club of Toledo, 1923-1936 |
|
29 |
Rush, Richard H., 1937-1950 |
|
30 |
S, 1913-1966 |
|
31 |
Sedgewick, Ellery, 1914-1920 |
|
32 |
Sheldon, Charles M., 1923-1936 |
|
33 |
Spitzer, John, 1940-1942 |
|
34 |
T-V, 1914-1966 |
|
35 |
Toledo War Industries Commission, 1918 (includes constitution) |
|
36 |
W, 1913-1953 |
|
|
W.H. Anderson Company |
|
37 |
1959-1961 |
|
38 |
January, 1965-March, 1966 |
|
39 |
April, 1966-January, 1968 |
|
40 |
Y-Z, 1917-1951 |
|
41 |
Misc. incoming correspondence (initials or first names only) |
|
|
Letters of Introduction |
|
42 |
Written for G.O., 1903 |
|
|
Ohlinger Family Correspondence |
|
43 |
1891-1933 (G.O. and parents) |
|
44 |
1908-1949 (G.O., Helen, and Constance) |
|
45 |
1922-1982, n.d. (G.O., John, Lucy, and Alice) |
|
46 |
Misc. family correspondence, 1896-1936 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S3. Literary Productions |
|
|
Articles |
|
47 |
Manuscripts and outlines, 1934-1937, n.d. |
|
|
Publications by G.O. |
|
48 |
The Washing Sword Pavilion, 1891 (first publication) |
|
49 |
"Winston Spencer Churchill: A Midnight Interview" |
|
50 |
“Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction in China,” Michigan Law Review, 1906 |
|
51 |
“Some Leading Principles of Chinese Law,” Michigan Law Review, 1910 |
3 |
1 |
“The Practical Basis for Republican Institutions for China” |
|
2 |
“Kiao-Chau,” The World’s Work, 1914 |
|
3 |
“Japan’s Opportunity in China,” America to Japan, 1915 |
|
4 |
“Tsingtau: The Sequel to Port Arthur,” The Atlantic Monthly, 1915 |
|
5 |
“German Propaganda in the United States,” The Atlantic Monthly, 1916 |
|
6 |
“The National Army,” The Atlantic Monthly, 1918 |
|
7 |
Testimony of Gustavus Ohlinger, National German-American Alliance, 1918 |
|
8 |
“The Power of the Written Assertion,” Michigan Law Review, 1926 |
|
9 |
“Some Comments on the Reserved Power to Alter, Amend and Repeal |
|
10 |
“Some Problems Under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure,” |
|
11 |
Problems of Jurisdiction and Venue, 1941 |
|
12 |
“Jurisdiction, Venue and Process as to Counterclaims and Third-Party |
|
13 |
“Amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure” |
|
14 |
The German Conspiracy in American Education |
|
|
Publications by Others |
|
15 |
The Mere Man and His Problems, 1924 |
|
16 |
Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, 1919 and Robert Hardy’s Seven Days, 1900 |
|
|
Research Notes |
|
17 |
1932-1934 |
|
18 |
1935-1936 |
|
19 |
1956-1958, n.d. |
|
|
School Integration Case (Little Rock), 1957-1958 |
|
20 |
1 of 2 |
|
21 |
2 of 2 |
|
22 |
Notes on Consular Jurisdiction in China |
|
|
Speeches and Readings |
|
23 |
[1924]-1935 |
|
24 |
1936-1942 |
4 |
1 |
[1942]-1945 |
|
2 |
1944-1946 |
|
3 |
1947-c.1965, n.d. |
|
|
Various Writings |
|
4 |
University of Toledo course outlines, 1960 |
|
5 |
Anglo-Chinese College Material, 1920-1957 |
|
6 |
The Christian Society of Korea--(A Short History: 1890-1960) |
|
7 |
"American First and Other Fallacies |
|
8 |
"Germans in China" |
|
9 |
"A Layman Replies to a Banker" |
|
10 |
Miscellaneous |
|
|
|
|
|
S4. Tape Recordings |
|
11 |
Recollections of early schooling in China, 1884; Churchill’s visit to |
|
12 |
Recollections of Africa, 1902 aftermath of war; on to Manilla, Philippine |
|
13 |
Childhood in China; Ann Arbor-Africa, 1965. Includes CD version. |
|
14 |
Shanghai and return to United States, 1965. Includes CD version. |
|
|
|
|
|
S5. Scrapbooks and Scrapbook Materials |
|
|
“Our Summer Odyssey, August 1 to September 1, 1954,” (Journal/photo album) |
|
15 |
1 of 2 |
|
16 |
2 of 2 |
|
17^ |
Scrapbook of newspaper clippings (See appendix for list), 1912-1926 |
|
|
|
|
|
S6. Printed Materials |
|
18 |
Newspaper clippings |
|
19 |
Awards, Certificates and Licenses, 1909-1948, 1961 |
|
20 |
South Africa and China, 1903-1905 |
|
21 |
TUNA and Related, 1945-1949 |
|
22 |
Toledo War Chest, 1918, n.d. |
|
23 |
Miscellaneous |
|
24 |
Ohlinger Family Newsletters, 3 issues |
|
25 |
Commerce Club News |
|
|
|
|
|
S7. Photographs |
|
|
Taken on World Tour (So. Africa and China), 1902-1905 |
5 |
1 |
1 of 6 |
|
2 |
2 of 6 |
|
3 |
3 of 6 |
|
4 |
4 of 6 |
|
5 |
5 of 6 |
|
6 |
6 of 6 |
|
7 |
Ohlinger and Family, 1883-1968 |
|
8 |
Miscellaneous, 1935-1936 |
|
|
|
|
|
S8. Ephemera |
|
9 |
Post cards, greeting cards, and memorabilia, 1902-1956 |
|
|
|
|
|
S9. Family Papers |
|
10 |
Affidavits of American Citizenship, 1926-1966 |
|
11 |
Ohlinger Family History |
|
12 |
Ohlinger, Constance, 1911-1929 |
|
13 |
Ohlinger, John F., 1915-1988 |
|
14 |
Ohlinger, John F., correspondence, clippings, resume, short stories |
|
15 |
Rinehart, Gertrude, 1901 |
|
16 |
Ohlinger, Lucy, 1932 |
|
17 |
Receipts, etc., 1913-1957 |
|
18 |
John Schweinfurth, sermons in German, 1821 |
|
19 |
Franklin Ohlinger, two books translated by him into Chinese, 1907 |
|
20 |
Alice Ohlinger Weaver, travel log of her trip to New York, March, 1937 |
|
21 |
G.O., biographical file from Toledo Public Library local history room, |
|
22 |
G.O., UT Notables Exhibit Labels |
|
23 |
Ohlinger, Constance, Legal Documents, 1920's, 1966, 1973, 1987 |
|
24 |
Ohlinger, Constance, Correspondence and Recollections of a Trip to |
|
25 |
Ohlinger, Constance, Correspondence to family, 1925-1957 |
|
26 |
Ohlinger, Constance, Correspondence, business and personal (incoming |
|
27 |
Ohlinger, Constance, Correspondence with institutions about donations |
|
28 |
Ohlinger, Constance, Printed Material, Newspaper clippings, 1934, 1935, |
|
29 |
Ohlinger, Constance, Pilot logs and membership cards, 1944-1957 |
|
30 |
Ohlinger, Constance, Photographs, Aviation Club, ca. 1946 |
|
31 |
Ohlinger, Constance, Photographs, Various, 1907-1980's |
|
32 |
Ohlinger, Constance, Ephemera, 1935-1973, n.d. |
^ Located on oversize shelf